The MDC Alliance is a social democratic party, and solidarity is one of our core-values.
Following the Statement by our President Advocate Nelson Chamisa on lockdown, on the 24th March 2020 the MDC Parliamentary Caucus came up with various response mechanisms at Organisational level and at individual level.
The MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus sends its condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones due to the Covid -19 virus. We also wish a speedy recovery to all those who tested positive to the virus. We also pray for the divine protection of everyone against this deadly virus.
Our Caucus resolved in March soon after the announcement by the MDC Alliance President Advocate Nelson Chamisa of the lockdown campaign .
We resolved for every member of parliament to contribute rtgs 200 every month towards the Covid -19 pandemic. This money was raised to mitigate towards the rapid response mechanism.
The contributions from our Members of Parliament is seriously affected by the illegal withholding of MDC Alliance Member’s allowances of more than six months, which have caused many of our MPs to be in serious debts and financially crippled.
Members of Parliament have also at individual level contributed immensely towards the crisis management and mitigation, in various constituencies and communities. We would to express our gratitude towards the kind spirit of giving by our members.
Now realising that the crisis is continuing and a sustainable and comprehensive response is required, the MDC Alliance Caucus has resolutely endorsed to increase the monthly contributions so that financial contribution will play a critical role in various mechanisms towards alleviating the burden of this pandemic to the people of Zimbabwe.
This is motivated by the MDC Alliance President spirited fight and realization that the National Epidemic Response by gvt is inadequate and overwhelmed.
Resource mobilization social welfare of the most vulnerable groups of our population such as vendors, people with disabilities, those with health conditions, the elderly and child-headed families is paramount in this lockdown.
The Caucus will continue to respond and act to mitigate the crisis. More and new strategies will continue to be developed and implemented.
The Caucus will also review upwards the RTGS 200 agreed, in an attempt to increase the level of response to the lockdown.
We urge all Zimbabweans to obey rules stipulated in the lockdown as it is good for everybody. To the security forces responsible for enforcing the lockdown compliance must do so with dignity and honor. Our security services must exercise restraint in dealing with the population and must respect human rights and avoid heavy-handedness in enforcing compliance.
May God bless our nation Zimbabwe.
Together We Will Defeat Covid-19.
For and on behalf of the MDC Alliance Parliamentary Caucus
Hon P C Mutseyami.
Senator Lillian Timveos
Chief Whips
